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SB 3948

BINGO-OPERATION-MAX CARD PRICE

104th Regular Session Introduced by Erica Harriss

The bill tightens bingo rules by defining prize caps, game limits, card pricing, management eligibility, and licensing to ensure proceeds benefit sponsoring organizations and restr

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Bill Summary · SB 3948

Summary — SB 3948 (104th Illinois General Assembly)

Title: BINGO-OPERATION-MAX CARD PRICE

Jurisdiction: Illinois

Sponsor: Senator Erica Harriss (co-sponsor)

Purpose (high level)
- This bill amends the Bingo License and Tax Act to update and specify rules governing the conduct of bingo, including prize limits, card pricing, game duration, management participation, and licensing provisions. It aims to regulate how bingo proceeds are used, who may participate, and the financial parameters of bingo days and games.

Key Provisions and Changes
- Net Proceeds (Sec. 2(1))
- Requires the entire net proceeds from bingo to be exclusively devoted to the lawful purposes of the sponsoring organization.

  • Participant Restrictions (Sec. 2(2.5))

    • Only bona fide members or employees of the sponsoring organization, or volunteers not paid by a provider/supplier/consultant, may participate in the management or operation of bingo.

  • Remuneration/Profit (Sec. 2(3))

    • Members cannot receive remuneration for participating in management or operation, with an exception: a school or educational institution may reduce a pupil’s tuition/fees based on participation, proportional to time volunteered as determined by the school.

  • Prize Limits (Sec. 2(4))

    • Daily aggregate prize value cannot exceed $2,250.
    • In specific border/adjacent-area scenarios (certain adjoining counties and municipalities with varying population thresholds), up to two additional bingo games may occur after the $2,250 limit, with per-game cash prize not exceeding $500 or its cash equivalent.

  • Number of Games per Day (Sec. 2(5))

    • Generally, no more than 25 games per day (including regular and special games), with two exceptions:
    • Excludes Illinois State Fair and county fairs from the 25-game cap.

  • Card Pricing and Special Games (Sec. 2(6))

    • Regular bingo card price may not exceed $2 and is valid for all regular games that day.
    • Up to 5 special games per bingo day, with a cap of $2.50 per special game card.
    • The 5 special games cap does not apply at the Illinois State Fair or county fairs.

  • Days of Operation (Sec. 2(7))

    • A licensee may conduct bingo no more than once per week, with specific exceptions:
    • Special operator’s permit or limited license scenarios.
    • Illinois State Fair or county fairs.
    • Weather/holiday cancellations allow a make-up day on a different weekday after notice to the Department.

  • Premises Rental (Sec. 2(8))

    • Premises may be rented only from licensed providers or exempt entities.
    • If renting from a metropolitan exposition authority, the licensee and organization may share gross bingo proceeds, but the organization cannot receive more than 50% of gross proceeds.

  • Age Requirement (Sec. 2(9))

    • No person under 18 may play or participate; minors may be present only if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

  • Promoter Interest (Sec. 2(10))

    • The bingo promoter must hold a proprietary interest in the game.

  • Other Gambling Rules (Sec. 2(11))

    • Raffles or other forms of gambling prohibited on premises, except pull tabs and jar games under the Illinois Pull Tabs and Jar Games Act, which are not counted in bingo prize limits.

  • Special Permits/Licenses (Sec. 2(12))

    • Organizations may receive a special permit or limited license no more than twice in a year.
    • On such occasions, a licensee may conduct up to 2 consecutive bingo days.
    • If conducted under a limited license/special permit, daily game limits may be exceeded and regular cards may not be valid for all games; noncash prizes may be used with a cap of $150 retail value per game.

Effective Source
- Source references to prior statute: (230 ILCS 25/2) with amendments reflecting the act’s intent.
- The amendment reflects a plan first enacted in 2007 and updated through 2007 with the current proposed changes.

Procedural/Timeline Notes
- Legislative status: In 2026, assigned to Gaming, Wagering, and Racing, then to Executive; amendments filed and referred as part of Senate process.
- Rule 2-10 deadlines established and moved; latest actions indicate committee considerations and potential third reading deadlines (as of the provided dates, May 15, 2026 third reading deadline).

Impacted Parties
- Bingo licensees and sponsoring organizations conducting bingo in Illinois.
- Volunteers, bona fide members, and employees involved in management/operation.
- Educational institutions linked to sponsoring organizations (potential tuition reductions tied to volunteer time).
- Patrons (players) aged 18 and older.
- Premises providers, including metropolitan authorities, and entities renting space for bingo.
- Local governments and counties with the specified population/geographic criteria for prize and game allowances.

Notes for Readers
- The bill is an amendment to the existing Bingo License and Tax Act and contains several nuanced geographic and governance provisions (particularly around prize caps and game-day limits). If enacted, it would adjust how much can be awarded, how many games can be played, who may manage games, and how prizes interact with educational tuition reductions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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